Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) and the island council have signed an agreement to develop a dockyard in Ihavandoo, Haa Alifu Atoll.
The agreement was signed by MPL CEO Mohamed Wajeeh Ibrahim on behalf of MPL while Ihavandhoo Council President Ahmed Sobah signed on behalf of the council.
MPL CEO Ibrahim Wajeeh said the aim is to commence work on the dockyard early next year, with a 100,000 acre land already allocated for the project.
The MPL CEO said that since the launch of bunkering services in the Maldives by this administration, requests are coming from foreign vessels traveling in the region in need to fix various technical issues.
The dockyard will provide technical support to the vessels, he said, among them repair and maintenance services.
In addition, the numerous fishing vessels operating in the region have also been requesting for docking services, he said.
This service will prove hugely beneficial to local fishermen as well, Wajeeh added.
MPL has aimed to complete the facility in the next six months.